What People Say

“Eight years ago, I sustained an acute disc prolapse whilst on holiday resulting in right sided sciatic pain. Initial management was conservative, which involved simple physiotherapy and analgesia. The pain became chronic and intermittent, at times very severe and disabling. Working as a busy GP, with 3 young children was challenging but I assumed things would get better and simply got on with life as best I could. 18 months later after several MRI scans, I decided to have a discectomy which relieved the pain for a while. However, things worsened again, although the pain was different and always involved my buttock/hip area and right leg.

I spent the next few years searching for a solution, seeing different physiotherapists, engaging in pliates on many occasions, consulting chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists and doctors. I was referred to the local pain clinic and tried on several different neuropathic drugs. The side effects were intolerable and a lot of conventional pain killers didn’t work.

5 years ago, I consulted a podiatrist who diagnosed leg length discrepancy and a set of specific foot issues that were thought to be the cause of my pain. I was given a insoles with a raised heel on my right and told to wear 2-3 cm heels at all times. I felt better for about a year but again the old pains started to creep back and increasingly podiatry advice was not having the desired outcome.

During this period there were times of stress, hopelessness, low mood, irritability, loss of confidence and feelings of not coping but above all the unrelenting fatigue that comes with living with low-middle grade chronic pain that reminds you of its presence daily.

In May 2022 I met Bronwyn who told me of a practice she had been doing called clinical somatics. She had healed herself of a chronic painful condition over several months’ commitment to this movement practice and was so impressed and interested in it that she had decided to train to be an instructor. I enthusiastically agreed to be a ‘guinea pig’ so she could use me as a case study during her training.

I have been lucky to have had the time to visit Bronwyn most Wednesday mornings since then to learn the practice of clinical somatic movement under her increasing expertise and patient guidance. Since the start, Bronwyn has explained the science and principles behind this practice in detail, making me aware of the dysfunctional muscle patterns I have developed over time, possibly before and definitely in response to my initial disc prolapse.

I have been diligent in carrying out the practice at home most days which has taken a huge commitment but I have learnt to prioritise this as the benefits have started to become clear.

My medical school anatomy knowledge and subsequent GP application has been thoroughly revised as Bronwyn has diagnosed my particular set of muscle imbalances. I have presented her with quite a complex case and she has been able to show me where my areas of sensory motor amnesia are.

I took the plunge to remove my insoles 2 months ago and have been wearing more ‘normal’ shoes after 5 years of trying to find appropriate footwear.

I have started to become aware of my body again and feel more grounded. I can honestly say that my pain levels have been decreasing gradually and more dramatically so, over the last few weeks. Some days I’ve hardly had any pain and have been able to sit at a desk for longer periods whereas before this was a major trigger. I am moving more naturally; my posture is changing and I am able to maintain this on very stressful work days.

I feel normal for the first time in years and that I am not fighting a losing battle anymore. 

I feel the tension in my right leg is disappearing and I am becoming aware of the working of my muscles and how I can influence them. A great side effect of the practice is the huge sense of peace and relaxation this instils, due to the mindfulness and deep breathing that is involved. I often do the practice before bed which also aids sleep quality.

I have read widely about pain management but have never actually applied the principles to myself effectively. Bronwyn has given me the space and time to see that we have the power to change and rid ourselves of chronic pain. Even as a GP it has taken a long time for me to find something that I feel is truly helping me. This health journey has shown me that we cannot expect to heal by someone ‘doing something to us’-we have to be in charge of the change that takes place.

I am at the beginning of a hopeful new chapter in my life and have a huge sense of relief. I feel lighter, more optimistic and full of wonder for this practice which I would whole heartedly recommend to anyone with a chronic muscular pain issue or anyone who simply wants to be more in touch with their mind/body connection. It takes time but it’s worth it.

And of course, I cannot thank Bronwyn enough for her calm approach, understanding, curiosity, encouragement and burgeoning knowledge in this field.”

“I’ve been searching for a few years for ways to help with my constantly sore and tight back and through massage therapy had discovered that muscle tension was probably causing a lot of the issues. My main motivation was to improve my riding as I was aware the horse was being impacted & it was hampering my progress. Chatting to Bronwyn, I was convinced Clinical Somatics was worth a try.

Since practicing Somatics I’m now far more relaxed in general, I sleep better and my body moves in a softer and more functional way. My back is now generally functional enough that I don’t experience pain, unless a specific event triggers it. I now tolerate situations eg driving or standing for long periods that previously would have caused a flare up.

The sessions with Bronwyn have been incredible – she’s so supportive & encouraging. At times the power of the release I have felt has been overwhelming, just going to show how tightly held some muscles have been for so long. The sense of relaxation & everything feeling better at the end of each session is so validating.

I now go through life being much more aware of how I move, which muscles are tense, and with the sense that I can change my body to function in a healthier way. Everyday physical tasks are so much easier, and I don’t hesitate to do things like bending down, like I did before, because I am not anticipating pain. In my riding, my instructor has noticed how much more straight & well-positioned I am in the saddle. My flexibility & softness has improved & my horse is clearly performing better as I am more able to ‘go with’ her movements.

The single most powerful tool for me has been the standing awareness & belly breathing. I try to find time daily to do at least that, plus arch & flatten, and add in longer sessions as much as I can. Finding enough time to do a full session, with proper focus, daily has been the biggest challenge, but I just do what I can. The exercises are easy to follow from Bronwyn’s audio & hearing her voice does help to focus.

I recommend Somatics with Bronwyn to anyone who wants to take control of their physical wellbeing & improve their pain or stiffness. It has really improved how I live my life and is so worth the investment of time in yourself. “

“I decided to give Clinical Somatics a go because when Bronwyn first explained it so well, the whole process and practice really made a lot of sense. Now I’m completely hooked!

It really is a way to release involuntary tension through gentle movement and breathing to enable the body to function most affectively and relieve pain.

It has benefited me on many levels. Physically I can see the difference that practising gentle, focussed movement and deep breathing has made on my posture, tension points and any pain. I’m noticing ways of adjusting myself when out and about, or after sitting for periods of time so I’m not stiff and am in alignment and relaxed. When I practice as often as I can (and I miss it when I don’t!), I visibly notice a difference in my sleep and have been sleeping through the night for the first time in years.

Each time I see Bronwyn she teaches me new exercises for me to take away, all making perfect sense and as a result I now have my own ‘toolkit’ of exercises and routines in just a few months to use as I need to. This is also helped by her separate audio subscription to guide you through the exercises with the sessions and exercises carefully explained.

Bronwyn’s in depth knowledge of the body and muscle structure, her quest for learning and developing and her patience and empathy make her an ideal educator and I could not recommend her and the practice of Somatics more highly.”

“Many years of sitting working at a computer has affected my posture and led to stiff and sore shoulders, which were not improved with any stretching or massages I tried. That, together, with a painful hip after an exercise class, made me realise I needed to try something new to release tension.

I loved my weekly sessions with Bronwyn and always left feeling very relaxed and calm, in mind and body. She listened carefully to the problems I was having and explained the process of Somatics and how it would help me. She described the movements clearly and patiently and explained why I was doing them.

Practising at home was helped enormously by Bronwyn’s audio recordings of the movements. I found I could remember some movements better than others, but it was still very useful to have Bronwyn’s voice quietly reminding me to breathe!

Since starting sessions with Bronwyn, I have found I am much more aware of my body and how I’m using it. My shoulder tension has reduced dramatically, and my hip pain has nearly disappeared. My posture has improved, and I am moving freely and with more ease.

I would definitely recommend Somatics with Bronwyn to anyone with muscle pain. She’s helped me and I’m sure I’ll continue to practice the movements throughout my life.”

“I started clinical somatics with Bronwyn to tackle chronically poor shoulder posture and tight hip flexors.

I was struck by how knowledgeable she is about the body’s musculature and she gives clear and fluent instructions to go through the different exercises.

I have learnt to move much more consciously and along the way I have also learnt to breathe correctly which has helped with stress management and mindful movement.

In Bronwyn’s clinical photograph’s my posture has visibly improved and I now have several exercises I can do if any problem areas such as hamstring discomfort and hip discomfort crop up. Clinical somatics is also supporting me in my other areas of exercise such as swimming and yoga.

I would recommend this practice to anyone who wishes to be more body aware and deal with tension.”

Bronwyn is brilliant at explaining the theory and science behind somatics, our muscular make up, and the interconnectedness of all the different parts of our bodies. She then recommends exercises relevant to your particular issues, and with your feedback fine tunes them so they are working for you.

She really does give you the tools to sort your own aches and pains. As a farmer I was worried about my posture from sitting in a tractor or at a computer. I really felt a difference early on and still feel I have a much better posture despite not doing regular exercises recently.

I know that if you listen to Bronwyn and put in the exercises at home you will feel the difference!